Storytelling Retreat in Cameroon Bridges Art, Science, and Culture for Participatory Evaluation

Limbe, Cameroon – September 16-20, 2024 – A unique gathering of storytellers, researchers, and evaluators from Cameroon, Germany, and Argentina took place last week in Limbe, Cameroon, as part of the Storytelling & Participatory Evaluation Retreat. Organized by eBASE Africa in collaboration with the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) and Argentina’s Research Program on Employment, Environment, and Society (PETAS), the retreat explored how traditional African storytelling can be integrated into modern evaluation practices to drive social change and preserve cultural heritage.

A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Held from September 16-20, the retreat brought together over 30 participants who engaged in workshops, artistic performances, and collaborative planning sessions. The goal was to demonstrate how storytelling, a deeply rooted African tradition, can be used to communicate complex scientific ideas, foster community engagement, and enhance participatory evaluation methods.

Key Highlights:

• Storytelling for Social Impact: Cameroonian storytellers like Sally Nyolo, a UNICEF ambassador, and David Noundji shared how storytelling can address critical social issues, from health crises to education. Nyolo emphasized the healing power of African traditions, while Noundji advocated for storytelling’s role in science and education, moving beyond its traditional use as children’s entertainment.
• Art Meets Science: Researchers from eBASE Africa, including Ernest Wung Alang and Rigobert Pambe, showcased how storytelling can make complex topics more accessible. Alang discussed its application in behavioral economics, while Pambe demonstrated how stories can be used to teach mathematical concepts.
• Innovative Storytelling Techniques: Tafor Ateh from Ggitv introduced creative methods like the Abela technique, which adapts stories in real-time based on audience input, and expansive characterization, where multiple actors portray a single character to highlight universal human experiences.

Building a Global Network

One of the retreat’s key outcomes was the creation of a network of 27 storytellers, researchers, and evaluators from Cameroon, Germany, and Argentina. This network aims to continue exploring how storytelling can be used in participatory evaluation, with a focus on amplifying African voices and knowledge on the global stage.

Collaborative Plans for 2024-2026:

• eBASE Storytellers: Plans to formalize storytelling practices, create a digital repository of stories, and publish research findings.
• Non-eBASE Storytellers: Initiatives to build a percussion training school and develop platforms for sharing stories.
• PETAS/EvalParticipativa: Strengthening South-South collaboration and producing audiovisual materials for inclusive evaluation.
• DEval: Launching projects to integrate storytelling into evaluation processes and share findings through conferences and publications.

Next Steps

The retreat concluded with a clear plan for the coming months:

• NEC Conference Presentation: The retreat’s outcomes will be presented at the National Evaluation Capacities Conference in Beijing in October 2024, inviting new partners to join the initiative.
• Audiovisual Production: A series of videos will be created to showcase the retreat’s highlights and the diverse storytelling techniques used by participants.
• Publications: Research articles on storytelling and evaluation will be drafted for specialized journals, with DEval coordinating the effort. A summary of the retreat will also be published on the EvalParticipativa website.

A Vision for the Future

The retreat’s closing ceremony featured a symbolic painting by artist Lionel Ayafor, capturing the participants’ shared vision for the future. The goal is to foster collaboration between the Global South and North, ensuring that storytelling becomes a key tool in participatory evaluation and that indigenous knowledge is documented and shared globally.

Quotes from Participants:

• Sally Nyolo: “Storytelling is not just about preserving our past; it’s about shaping our future. This retreat has shown how our traditions can drive real social change.”
• Ernest Wung Alang: “By blending storytelling with science, we can make complex ideas accessible to everyone, from policymakers to local communities.”
• Esteban Tapella (PETAS): “This retreat is an important step toward recognizing the value of indigenous knowledge in global research and evaluation.”

Why This Matters

In a world where Western-centric knowledge systems often dominate, the Storytelling & Participatory Evaluation Retreat highlights the importance of integrating traditional African storytelling into modern evaluation practices. By doing so, it not only preserves cultural heritage but also empowers communities to take ownership of their narratives and contribute to global knowledge sharing.

As eBASE Africa and its partners move forward, the retreat’s outcomes will serve as a foundation for future initiatives, ensuring that storytelling remains a vital tool for education, social change, and global collaboration.